Determination of the Stoichiometry of the Hydrogen Peroxide–Sodium Hypochlorite Reaction Using Gas Pressure Sensors

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume x Issue x (2006) pp 254-256

Determination of the Stoichiometry of the Hydrogen Peroxide–Sodium Hypochlorite Reaction Using Gas Pressure Sensors

Frazier Nyasulu,* and John Macklin

Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA 98195, nyasulu@chem.washington.edu
Received December 28, 2005. Accepted April 21, 2006.

Published online: 2 June 2006

Abstract. In this general chemistry experiment, a gas pressure sensor is used to determine the stoichiometry of the NaOCl(aq) plus H₂O₂(aq) reaction, a reaction which produces O₂(g). Small increments (1.00–1.50 mL) of H₂O₂(aq) are added to 6.000–10.000 g NaOCl(aq) and after mixing, the pressure is measured. This experiment is completed in less than an hour and 90% of the students obtain results within 5% of the expected 1:1 stoichiometry.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; general chemistry; stoichiometry; gas pressure

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: nyasulu@chem.washington.edu)

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